McGraw applauds longtime assistant

April 24, 2007|FORREST MILLER Tribune Staff Writer

"It really hurts to lose someone who has been a part of your life for 12 years.'' That was a comment from Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw following the announcement Monday that Coquese Washington will be the new head coach at Penn State. "This is a tremendous opportunity for Coquese, and all of us -- players, coaches and staff -- are excited for her,'' added McGraw. "She has been a big part of our success. She will be extremely successful in State College, and I am confident the Lady Lions players and fans are going to love having her leading their program. Penn State has a bright future with Coquese as its head coach.'' McGraw emphasized that another member of her coaching staff, Angie Potthoff, will stay at Notre Dame. Potthoff, starting her third season, is a Penn State graduate. McGraw's administrative assistant, India Franklin, is Coquese's sister. Washington is the sixth former McGraw assistant and/or former player to become a head coach at the NCAA Division I level. Others in that group include Sandy Botham at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Beth (Morgan) Cunningham at Virginia Commonealth, Bill Fennelly at Iowa State, Kevin McGuff at Xavier and Carol Owens at Northern Illinois. McGuff, Owens and Washington comprised the Irish staff when Notre Dame won the 2001 NCAA title. "That speaks well of our program,'' said McGraw who added that no decision has been made on whether Penn State will play at Notre Dame next season. There is a contract for a game. "Having played for us, Coquese knew our system and what we we were trying to accomplish,'' said McGraw. Washington was introduced at a press conference Monday at Penn State. "I am ecstatic to be here,'' Washington said. "It is an awesome opportunity to come into a program that has such a rich tradition. I believe all the tools are in place for this program to continue to be successful. I feel with the players, the administrative support and the fan support we will do great things.'' Penn State athletic director Tim Curley, made the official announcement. "Penn State is very fortunate to have landed a rising star in the coaching ranks,'' Curley stated. "We are thrilled to have Coquese taking over the leadership of the women's basketball program. She has competed and coached at the highest level of both college and professional basketball. "She is an outstanding coach and recruiter who has developed highly-accomplished student athletes and was instrumental in wining a national championship. We are excited and ready to help Coquese put Penn State in contention to win Big Ten and national championships.'' After graduating from Notre Dame in 1992, Washington went on to earn her law degree in 1997. She was a central figure in helping create the WNBA Players Association, serving as the founding president until 2001. She also served as executive vice-president of the WNBPA from 2001 until her retirement in 2003. A native of Flint, Mich., Coquese and her husband, Raynell Brown, have a 2-year-old son, Quenton.Staff writer Forrest Miller: wmiller@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6315